Statement on War in Ukraine: We stand with Ukraine

The House met twice this week, on Tuesday 22 February and Thursday 24 February 2022 to hear a statement from the Prime Minister about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The situation is very grave. 

HM Opposition Labour Party’s position is:

• Vladimir Putin’s attack on Ukraine is an unprovoked, unjustifiable outrage and a heinous violation of international law that will have tragic consequences. The Labour Party stands with our allies and partners in condemning it in the strongest possible terms, and we must maintain and strengthen our unity and resolve. 

• The hardest possible sanctions must be taken against all those linked to Putin and against the Russian government’s interests, working in a coordinated and unified way with our allies to ensure the Putin regime faces the severest possible consequences. 

• The Labour Party’s commitment to NATO is unshakeable – and the alliance has strongly condemned Putin’s actions. We must move in lockstep with our NATO allies, and take steps to reinforce NATO members on the Eastern flank. It is right that Britain has provided support to Ukraine to defend itself – and this should continue. 

• After more than a decade of inaction, the influence of corrupt Russian money must now be extricated from the UK.  The government must now bring forward the urgent measures that Labour have repeatedly called for.
• It is vital that the EU maintain their position together with the US to also impose the sanctions against Putin and his friends.
• We must ensure the Russian people who are currently demonstrating against their own Government that Ukraine remains a Sovereign state without any Russian Government interference.
• We stand with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people at this desperate time.

On 23 February I co-sponsored Early Day Motion 994, which states:

“That this House calls for UEFA to move the Champions League final scheduled to take place on Saturday 28 May 2022 from St Petersburg in Russia to a new venue outside of Russia as a result of Russian hostility to Ukraine.”

I welcome the decision by UEFA today, 25 February, to move the final St Petersburg to the Stade de France and that the Russian Grand Prix will not take place.